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A daily look at the most significant and interesting stories affecting Northwest Arkansas, written by local reporters.

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Arkansas Gov. Sanders knocks Dems on Fox News

"If Kamala Harris is the best person that the Democrats can run again, I think '28 is looking really good for Republicans," Sanders said.

Politics

Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders opined about the 2028 general election on &quot;<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Fox &amp; Friends" data-vars-click-url="https://www.foxnews.com/video/6389570439112" data-vars-content-id="ac621f56-12f0-4511-9f96-5ed102302d4b" data-vars-headline="Arkansas Gov. Sanders knocks Dems on Fox News" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.foxnews.com/video/6389570439112" target="_blank">Fox &amp; Friends</a>&quot; on Thursday, following a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="commentary" data-vars-click-url="https://www.wsj.com/opinion/democrats-you-may-already-have-lost-the-2028-election-7bab8946?st=6xtgWW&amp;reflink=desktopwebshare_permalink" data-vars-content-id="ac621f56-12f0-4511-9f96-5ed102302d4b" data-vars-headline="Arkansas Gov. Sanders knocks Dems on Fox News" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.wsj.com/opinion/democrats-you-may-already-have-lost-the-2028-election-7bab8946?st=6xtgWW&amp;reflink=desktopwebshare_permalink" target="_blank">commentary</a> in the Wall Street Journal critiquing the Democratic Party.

Mixed-use project planned for Bentonville square

The plan is to break ground on The Hart on Main this summer.

News

Construction of a development bringing retail, office and housing to the Bentonville square will begin soon.State of play: The plan is to break ground on The Hart on Main this summer with a &quot;multiyear build ahead,&quot; according to a news release.

Revealing holes in Arkansas' concealed carry law

Someone with a concealed carry license could face restrictions that someone under constitutional carry would not.

Arkansans can legally carry firearms to protests, a law professor told Axios, but contradictory state statutes create gray areas that could complicate interpretation.The big picture: The <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="shooting death" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/01/24/minneapolis-ice-shooting-id" data-vars-content-id="223d24f3-4c9e-4707-aa34-cbbf7252461e" data-vars-headline="Revealing holes in Arkansas&#x27; concealed carry law" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/01/24/minneapolis-ice-shooting-id" target="_self">shooting death</a> of Alex Pretti in Minnesota last month put some <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="gun rights groups at odds" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/01/25/gun-groups-challenge-minneapolis-shooting-pretti" data-vars-content-id="223d24f3-4c9e-4707-aa34-cbbf7252461e" data-vars-headline="Revealing holes in Arkansas&#x27; concealed carry law" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/01/25/gun-groups-challenge-minneapolis-shooting-pretti" target="_self">gun rights groups at odds</a> with messaging from the Trump administration, exposing tension between First and Second Amendment protections.

Monday Munchies: Handshake in the Fayetteville library

There's an honest-to-goodness restaurant inside the library.

Food and Drink

In case you needed another reason to hang out at the Fayetteville Public Library, you have one.📚 State of play: <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Handshake" data-vars-click-url="https://www.handshakefayetteville.com/" data-vars-content-id="5287c451-60fb-49d3-a72b-3967a58e83af" data-vars-headline="Monday Munchies: Handshake in the Fayetteville library" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.handshakefayetteville.com/" target="_blank">Handshake</a> offers breakfast, lunch and lounge bites right inside the library. This is ultra-convenient for those who find themselves spending lengthy days working or studying there, or are just making the most of a leisurely day at the library.

Fayetteville solicits input on School Avenue

The city has drafted three concepts for the road.

The city of Fayetteville is accepting feedback on its planned <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="South School Avenue improvements" data-vars-click-url="https://www.fayetteville-ar.gov/4484/S-School-Avenue-Improvements" data-vars-content-id="8e08100a-2353-4bc7-94ab-33e4d41308bf" data-vars-headline="Fayetteville solicits input on School Avenue" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.fayetteville-ar.gov/4484/S-School-Avenue-Improvements" target="_blank">South School Avenue improvements</a>, which include the section between Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard and 15th Street.The big picture: The area is part of the city&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="U.S. Highway 71B Corridor plan" data-vars-click-url="https://www.fayetteville-ar.gov/DocumentCenter/View/18574/71B-Corridor-Master-Plan-Final#page=142" data-vars-content-id="8e08100a-2353-4bc7-94ab-33e4d41308bf" data-vars-headline="Fayetteville solicits input on School Avenue" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.fayetteville-ar.gov/DocumentCenter/View/18574/71B-Corridor-Master-Plan-Final#page=142" target="_blank">U.S. Highway 71B Corridor plan</a>, which includes the traffic artery from Cato Springs Road in the south to Zion Road in the north, excluding the section between Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard and North Street.

What to know about travelin' Arkansas this week

At least 73 million people, about 90% of Thanksgiving travelers, will go by car.

Travel

If you&#x27;re going to leave town for Thanksgiving, it&#x27;s gonna be crowded out there.The big picture: A record-breaking 81.8 million Americans will be traveling for Thanksgiving this year, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="AAA" data-vars-click-url="https://newsroom.aaa.com/2025/11/aaa-thanksgiving-travel-forecast-2025/" data-vars-content-id="24ad020e-d6d1-40de-bf2c-554639abee38" data-vars-headline="What to know about travelin&#x27; Arkansas this week" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://newsroom.aaa.com/2025/11/aaa-thanksgiving-travel-forecast-2025/" target="_blank">AAA</a> predicts.

We went to San Francisco and tried a driverless car

Our reporter found a Waymo ride to be observant of traffic laws and largely hassle-free.

Culture

I have seen the future, and it&#x27;s self-driving.State of play: I recently spent a long weekend in San Francisco, my first trip to what is now one of my favorite cities. As I was taking in the expected culture and views, I noticed something that felt especially new to my brain — people riding in cars without anyone in the driver&#x27;s seat.

Walton Family Foundation grants to fund big changes for Razorback Greenway, Bentonville schools

The grants come via the design excellence program.

The latest batch of Walton Family Foundation grants will help regional planners decide what&#x27;s next for the Razorback Greenway, and Bentonville Public Schools decide what&#x27;s next for its downtown campus.The big picture: The grants come via the design excellence program, which has supported construction and renovation projects like the Rogers Historical Museum and Railyard Park in downtown Rogers or TheatreSquared in downtown Fayetteville.

XNA hits enplanement milestone

Population and economic growth are driving long-term expansion plans at XNA.

For the first time, passengers boarded planes more than 1 million times at Northwest Arkansas National Airport this year.The big picture: Population and economic growth are driving <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="long-term expansion plans" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2023/09/12/xna-northwest-arkansas-airport-growth-regional-airport" data-vars-content-id="7dae1b5a-5cfc-4f7c-a9a8-9b595c41062e" data-vars-headline="XNA hits enplanement milestone" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2023/09/12/xna-northwest-arkansas-airport-growth-regional-airport" target="_self">long-term expansion plans</a> at XNA, which opened in 1998.

Arkansas gas prices dip below $3 going into Thanksgiving

AA estimates 55.4 million people will travel 50 miles or more between Wednesday and Sunday.

Queue up the podcasts, check the tires and grab a large coffee.What&#x27;s happening: AAA <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="estimates" data-vars-click-url="https://newsroom.aaa.com/2023/11/aaa-thanksgiving-holiday-travel-period-forecast/" data-vars-content-id="cd08b583-8e6d-40db-b4d0-34bc9d4f72f6" data-vars-headline="Arkansas gas prices dip below $3 going into Thanksgiving" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://newsroom.aaa.com/2023/11/aaa-thanksgiving-holiday-travel-period-forecast/" target="_blank">estimates</a> 55.4 million people will travel 50 miles or more between Wednesday and Sunday, and 44.9 million of those will get there by auto.<ul><li>While more EVs are on the road, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="most Arkansas travelers will end up" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/nw-arkansas/2022/08/03/arkansas-electric-vehicle-adoption" data-vars-content-id="cd08b583-8e6d-40db-b4d0-34bc9d4f72f6" data-vars-headline="Arkansas gas prices dip below $3 going into Thanksgiving" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/nw-arkansas/2022/08/03/arkansas-electric-vehicle-adoption" target="_self">most Arkansas travelers will end up</a> pumping gas this week.</li></ul>The latest: The average price for a gallon of regular unleaded in the Natural State is $2.94, down more than 2.5% from this time last year and down 50 cents since August.

Northwest Arkansas workers' commutes have gotten a little longer

Transit

The share of Northwest Arkansas workers with relatively speedy commutes has slightly decreased compared to pre-pandemic times, per a new Axios analysis of census data.Why it matters: Quicker commutes are<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text=" tied" data-vars-click-url="https://hbr.org/2021/05/that-dreaded-commute-is-actually-good-for-your-health" data-vars-content-id="cbcfeffa-235f-4577-b8be-5593822f6570" data-vars-headline="Northwest Arkansas workers&#x27; commutes have gotten a little longer" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://hbr.org/2021/05/that-dreaded-commute-is-actually-good-for-your-health" target="_blank"> tied</a> to better mental health, greater job satisfaction and many other personal benefits.

Scholarships encourage rural cycling, walking in Arkansas

Two Bentonville nonprofits are trying to help small Arkansas towns expand "active transportation."

Two Bentonville nonprofits are trying to help small Arkansas towns expand access to &quot;active transportation&quot; like cycling through a new scholarship program for rural leaders and professionals.Driving the news: <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="LaneShift" data-vars-click-url="https://laneshift.net/" data-vars-content-id="1fd13f56-80ad-453b-9705-6c78aaac5cf4" data-vars-headline="Scholarships encourage rural cycling, walking in Arkansas" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://laneshift.net/" target="_blank">LaneShift</a> and <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Trailblazers" data-vars-click-url="https://wearetrailblazers.org/" data-vars-content-id="1fd13f56-80ad-453b-9705-6c78aaac5cf4" data-vars-headline="Scholarships encourage rural cycling, walking in Arkansas" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://wearetrailblazers.org/" target="_blank">Trailblazers</a> have teamed up to help participants from towns with fewer than 30,000 people in NWA and the Delta region attend a professional-development program that fosters active transportation.

Guest-pass system ready to go at XNA

The system allows you to eat and drink at airport restaurants and wave goodbye to your traveling loved ones at the gate.

Northwest Arkansas National Airport has a new guest-pass system that allows visitors to dine at airport restaurants and wave goodbye to traveling loved ones at the gate, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="5 News reports" data-vars-click-url="https://www.5newsonline.com/article/travel/the-guest-pass-system-officially-up-and-running-xna/527-a45a27dd-0d7e-4a87-a586-f119c7bcd741?fbclid=IwAR1FX27nkVE8IyS7BWViljqTMn_FRUviinazVrKtZ95sxzA_BjjYfr5eQKc" data-vars-content-id="9ac23f74-4688-4c14-9d72-4d7a6d65c28a" data-vars-headline="Guest-pass system ready to go at XNA" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.5newsonline.com/article/travel/the-guest-pass-system-officially-up-and-running-xna/527-a45a27dd-0d7e-4a87-a586-f119c7bcd741?fbclid=IwAR1FX27nkVE8IyS7BWViljqTMn_FRUviinazVrKtZ95sxzA_BjjYfr5eQKc" target="_blank">5 News reports</a>.How it works: Passes can be attained at a guest-pass kiosk by scanning your ID. You still have to go through security.

Annual event convenes EV makers for the e-curious

The second annual Drive Electric NWA this weekend gives everyone the opportunity to learn about the tech without any pressure to buy.

If you&#x27;re on the fence about buying an electric car or e-bike, you&#x27;re not alone.What&#x27;s happening: The second annual <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Drive Electric NWA" data-vars-click-url="https://nwacouncil.org/drive-electric/" data-vars-content-id="9d8f9d42-5da5-4766-8cdc-496ed0c9d550" data-vars-headline="Annual event convenes EV makers for the e-curious" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://nwacouncil.org/drive-electric/" target="_blank">Drive Electric NWA</a> this weekend will provide opportunities to learn about the tech without any pressure to buy.State of play: Electric vehicles accounted for <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="2.8% of monthly new-vehicle" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/newsletters/axios-nw-arkansas-e6ebaf3e-fd0f-45e6-bf70-55a4fa3f1c97.html?utm_source=newsletter&amp;utm_medium=email&amp;utm_campaign=sendto_localnewslettertest&amp;stream=top" data-vars-content-id="9d8f9d42-5da5-4766-8cdc-496ed0c9d550" data-vars-headline="Annual event convenes EV makers for the e-curious" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/newsletters/axios-nw-arkansas-e6ebaf3e-fd0f-45e6-bf70-55a4fa3f1c97.html?utm_source=newsletter&amp;utm_medium=email&amp;utm_campaign=sendto_localnewslettertest&amp;stream=top" target="_self">2.8% of monthly new-vehicle</a> registrations in Northwest Arkansas in January — up from 1% the same month last year. The Northwest Arkansas Council, which is hosting this weekend&#x27;s event, says there are more than 2,000 all-electric cars and trucks in Benton and Washington counties.<ul><li>The state is <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="on its way" data-vars-click-url="https://link.axios.com/click/29131049.34/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuYXhpb3MuY29tL2xvY2FsL253LWFya2Fuc2FzLzIwMjIvMDYvMjgvYXJrYW5zYXMtZWxlY3RyaWMtdmVoaWNsZS1jaGFyZ2luZy1uZXR3b3JrLXBsYW5uaW5nP3V0bV9zb3VyY2U9bmV3c2xldHRlciZ1dG1fbWVkaXVtPWVtYWlsJnV0bV9jYW1wYWlnbj1zZW5kdG9fbG9jYWxuZXdzbGV0dGVydGVzdCZzdHJlYW09dG9w/60745e98f259136e9e4c81f2Ba0fb241d" data-vars-content-id="9d8f9d42-5da5-4766-8cdc-496ed0c9d550" data-vars-headline="Annual event convenes EV makers for the e-curious" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://link.axios.com/click/29131049.34/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuYXhpb3MuY29tL2xvY2FsL253LWFya2Fuc2FzLzIwMjIvMDYvMjgvYXJrYW5zYXMtZWxlY3RyaWMtdmVoaWNsZS1jaGFyZ2luZy1uZXR3b3JrLXBsYW5uaW5nP3V0bV9zb3VyY2U9bmV3c2xldHRlciZ1dG1fbWVkaXVtPWVtYWlsJnV0bV9jYW1wYWlnbj1zZW5kdG9fbG9jYWxuZXdzbGV0dGVydGVzdCZzdHJlYW09dG9w/60745e98f259136e9e4c81f2Ba0fb241d" target="_self">on its way</a> to having more charging stations — possibly about every 50 miles along our interstates.</li></ul>Details: Models from Nissan, Ford, Chevrolet, Tesla, Canoo and Rivian will be on hand to view.<ul><li>Representatives from area electric companies can answer questions about home and roadside charging stations.</li><li>People For Bikes, Phat Tire Bike Shop and <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Pedego Fayetteville" data-vars-click-url="https://pedegoelectricbikes.com/dealers/fayetteville/" data-vars-content-id="9d8f9d42-5da5-4766-8cdc-496ed0c9d550" data-vars-headline="Annual event convenes EV makers for the e-curious" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://pedegoelectricbikes.com/dealers/fayetteville/" target="_blank">Pedego Fayetteville</a> will be available to talk about e-bikes and alternative transportation.</li></ul>Check it out: Drop in from 11am to 4pm Saturday in the parking lot at the Pinnacle Hills Promenade in Rogers.

Transit 🚗

Fayetteville solicits input on School Avenue

What to know about travelin' Arkansas this week

We went to San Francisco and tried a driverless car

Walton Family Foundation grants to fund big changes for Razorback Greenway, Bentonville schools

XNA hits enplanement milestone